of quicksilver mines to be free; 8. Americans, whether white men or Indians, and the descendants of either class, to have the same political rights as European Spaniards, particularly the right to be appointed to offices of honor or emolument at the royal court or in any part of the monarchy; 9. one half at least of the public offices in each kingdom or possession to be filled by natives of that kingdom; 10. a ‘junta consultiva de propuestas,' or nominating board, to be constituted, charged with the duty of carrying out the preceding clause;[1] 11. and finally, the restoration of the Jesuits, as necessary for the spread of knowledge and for the progress of the missions.
The proprietary deputies for Puebla and Tlascala, doctors Antonio Joaquin Perez and José Miguel Guride y Alcocer, arrived and took their seats about the time the propositions were up for discussion; and on the 31st of December they signified their assent thereto, asking that they should be acted upon without delay, in view of the disturbed condition of all the American possessions. The chamber accordingly, though not without considerable opposition, decreed to devote two days in each week, namely, Wednesdays and Fridays, to the subject.[2] But the 4th of January, 1811, on motion of Perez, the American deputies were asked by the córtes to issue an address to their constituents to stir up sentiments in favor of the mother country, that they might aid her as much as possible with money to carry on the struggle against France. Perez was warmly commended for his patriotism. The European deputies, not to be outdone in generosity, acceded to a proposi-
- ↑ Such board to be composed of the senior oidor, the rector of the univer sity, the dean of the college of lawyers, the highest military officer, and the highest treasury official. It was to sit at the capital of the vice-royalty or captain-generalcy, for filling each respective office within its district, ‘al turno Americano,' or when the American term comes, 'á cuya terna deberán ceñirse precisamente las autoridades á quienes incumba la provision.' Guerra, Hist. Revol. N. Esp., ii. 647-54; Negrete, Mex. Sig. XIX., v. 246-7; Córtes Diario, ii. 316-26, 346-51.
- ↑ Córtes Diario, ii. 233-4.
